Questions from the Buddy Seat with Grandpa
“So what is it you’re doing now?” my grandpa asked as he hopped into the tractor to ride a few rounds with me while I was finishing some spring tillage in preparation for planting season. My grandpa is a second-generation row crop farmer in Northeast Indiana, and his questions about the carbon industry and Agoro Carbon Alliance are nearly identical to the ones I hear from row crop farmers across the Corn Belt every day. So, I’d like to share a brief recap of our conversation in hopes that it helps ease concerns and adds clarity to the exciting opportunity Agoro Carbon has to offer.
“I bet this administration change really hurt your business!”
Agoro Carbon Alliance is funded by Yara International, the world’s leading crop nutrition company, which has been in operation for over 120 years. Having prominent and stable financial backing from a company that specializes in crop nutrition helps Agoro Carbon stand out from its competitors in several key ways. One is our strong focus on agronomic support. Another is that we eliminate the risk of the program’s funding being frozen or cut due to changes in the political landscape – something that can impact programs dependent on government subsidies.
“Is this carbon thing really making a difference?”
Yes, Agoro Carbon Alliance is making a real difference both for the environment and in our producers’ checkbooks. We do this by partnering with operations across the country to implement regenerative practice changes, like reduced tillage and cover cropping, that help sequester soil organic carbon. We’re taking measurable steps to support responsible climate action, improve soil health, and generate certified carbon credits.
“That payment isn’t going to cover what it costs me to put out my cover crops or buy my strip-till bar.”
Our mission at Agoro Carbon Alliance is to support meaningful, sustainable practice changes that will be maintained for years to come. From a cost coverage perspective, we may or may not be able to fully cover the expense of an extensive cover cropping or tillage reduction program in a single year. However, we are committed to a long-term partnership that will pay you back in more ways than one.
We provide timely agronomic support from experts with real-life experience in regenerative agriculture. The operational changes you make will improve soil structure, water infiltration, weed suppression, compaction, nutrient uptake, and much more. Over time, your cost of production will go down, and our program will create a revenue stream to help support and facilitate these changes.
“Can I work with the Farm Security Administration (FSA) office and you guys at the same time?”
Absolutely, and we encourage it! Agoro Carbon Alliance strongly supports partnerships with programs offered by your local FSA, USDA, and NRCS offices. Funding is available nationwide to support regenerative practices, and farmers should absolutely take advantage of those opportunities. You are welcome to use any and all resources available to you, so long as the programs comply with the guidelines set within our contract.
“How do we get signed up?”
This is the easiest question of all! Our sign-up process is simple. Once all of your questions and concerns have been addressed by our Sales Team and we receive some basic historical and mapping data from our Grower Success Team – we can move forward with signing a contract and begin implementing regenerative practice changes on your farm.
